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What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Asian pain relief technique, but the practice is alive today in Western cultures. A specialist strategically inserts needles smaller than 1/10th the size of a sewing needle into the patient’s skin during the procedure. The needles trigger the body’s circulation and release endorphins to relieve pain through various parts of the body. 

If you’d like to relieve back pain with acupuncture, contact Upstate Spine & Sport in Greenville, SC. Living every day in pain will severely impact your quality of life, but traditional medications may not suit you. We provide holistic pain relief solutions backed by science to help you feel better long-term. 

Our skilled chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists give every patient personalized treatment plans because no two people are exactly alike. Acupuncture may be the ideal approach to your pain issues, so learn more about the process and the conditions it can help treat.

How Can You Relieve Back Pain With Acupuncture?

About 8 in 10 people will have lower back pain at some point in their lives. Causes for the discomfort can range from sitting at a desk every workday to developing arthritis, a muscle strain, or a bulging spinal disc. 

Acupuncture in Greenville, SC, from Upstate Spine & Sport is a safe treatment for back pain with a low complication rate. There are several ways the procedure helps relieve lower back pain, including: 

  • Triggering the brain’s natural opioids to flood the body and lessen pain
  • Encouraging the body to release endorphins, the body’s pain-killing chemical
  • Releasing immune system cells into the body reduce pain and inflammation in targeted areas
  • Targeting direct tissues, which in acupuncture is called local needling, but is also known as dry needling

The needles go into the skin in specific anatomic sites to stimulate the healing process. Our acupuncturist will insert needles and let you rest for up to 30 minutes. During this time, your body triggers a response to relieve back pain with acupuncture.

Who Can Benefit From Acupuncture?

The purpose of acupuncture is to bring balance to the body to help it heal itself more efficiently. However, the treatment isn’t for everyone. It’s a worthwhile option for a person who wants to supplement their regular care plan with an alternative treatment. 

When you visit Upstate Spine & Sport to treat chronic pain or a sports injury, a practitioner will use the first appointment to consider all aspects of your life and health to determine which acupuncture or wellness treatment is best for you. 

We do more than look at your physical symptoms—we consider you as a whole person, not only as a patient with problematic symptoms. Treatment will begin during your first appointment, and you’ll likely see improvements over time. 

We often co-manage back pain with our chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapist. Our goal is to problem solve and create a sustainable solution.

Which Conditions Does Acupuncture Most Effectively Treat?

Acupuncture is an effective sciatica pain treatment. The condition occurs when compression of the sciatic nerve in the spine sends radiating pain from the lower back down the back or side of either leg. Acupuncture treatment relieves sciatic pain by improving blood circulation, relaxing tight muscles, and regulating the nervous system. 

Other conditions acupuncture helps with are: 

  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Chronic headaches
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Arthritis 

Acupuncture can do more than relieve chronic pain. The technique can also address emotional issues such as depression, insomnia, and stress. Studies show that regular acupuncture treatments can reduce the severity of depression and some of its symptoms, like lack of sleep, irritability, and tiredness. 

The practice can help resolve other issues plaguing the body that don’t involve pain or emotional responses. For instance, people may seek acupuncture if they have the following conditions: 

  • Allergies
  • Constipation
  • Sinus problems
  • Nausea and other side effects from chemotherapy

Acupuncture Greenville, SC | Upstate Spine & Sport

Are you looking to relieve back pain with acupuncture? If so, contact the professionals at Upstate Spine & Sport. As a leading chiropractor in Greenville, SC, with a wide range of services like massage therapy and acupuncture, our specialists will perform a thorough physical exam to determine the best treatment option for you. 

We proudly serve Greenville, Greer, and Simpsonville. Contact us at 864-400-8005 to begin your treatment plan today.